Man pleads guilty to sending nude photos to teen

A Le Grand man accused of sending naked pictures of himself by cell phone to a 14-year-old girl has plead guilty to the crime, authorities said Thursday.

George Allen Leavitt, 32, signed a plea agreement on July 17 requiring him to serve six months in Merced County Jail, register as a sex offender and attend sex offender treatment classes, according to the Merced County District Attorney's Office.

Leavitt, who is set to begin his sentence next month, couldn't be reached for comment Thursday. His lawyer declined to comment. Leavitt was arrested after a months-long investigation on Feb. 20.

Authorities said the victim's mother discovered pictures of Leavitt in her daughter's wallet a few months before his arrest.

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It was eventually discovered that Leavitt had sent naked photographs of himself to the victim -- who isn't being identified because she's a minor -- via cell phone, said deputy district attorney Mark Bacciarini.

Investigators also uncovered love letters between Leavitt and the girl.

In one, Leavitt enclosed a photograph of his pickup truck, telling the girl that it would someday be hers. In another letter he promised to "take care of you forever," officials said.

Police say the victim told them she believed Leavitt intended to marry her when she turned 18.

"The victim's parents were watchful and helped to bring Leavitt to justice," deputy district attorney David Sandhaus, who prosecuted the case, said in a statement. "I hope this case serves as a reminder to all parents that they must be vigilant in the fight against those who would prey on our children."

Under the plea agreement, Leavitt admitted to a misdemeanor charge of annoying or molesting a child, Bacciarini said. He is expected to report to jail Aug. 26.